Page 26 of Spirit Island

He paused. “Iremember hearing about it. They tried payouts.”

“Yeah, thoseclosest to the blast showed signs fast, and the rest of us sued forcomplete coverage of all medical costs. And then the company wentunder under the weight, so Deno and I ended up broke, but I wasalive, so he considered it a good trade.” She smiled. “I have hisbirthday present all set for this year. I just have to get accessto a kitchen with a stove.”

Xo nodded. “Ihave one. Could you do it here?”

“Sure. It isweird to do it in the tropics, but it used to be his favourite, soI am hoping that he likes it.”

Xo paused.“Tell me what you need for it.”

She smiled. “Ithink that I have everything in my hotel room in the village. Ipacked it in my luggage and had to explain things to customs.”

“I will have itbrought here for when you need it. That way, you know where itis.”

Belle eyed himas he selected something made of pastry, honey, and sesame seeds.“Right. So, you want me to move here.”

He noddedcalmly and said, “Yes, please.” His phone went off, and he fed herthe pastry and sighed. He licked his fingers and checked his phone.“Your brother’s birthday is this weekend.”

“Yeah.”

“And yours isthe day before.”

“That is theway it works with twins born on different days.” She covered hermouth as she spoke.

“What does hedo for you?”

“A tower ofcreampuffs. If I think my present is hard, his is impossible inthis weather.”

He grinned.“You gift each other food?”

“Sure. Wealready have most of the stuff we want. I mean, I could buy him abunch of sarongs, but that is for Serin to do now. If she wants himin shorts, it’s her call as well.”

“He doesn’t geta vote?”

“Not if heknows what is good for him. We are both in search of new homes.Ours was sold to keep me alive.”

“There isnothing left there?”

“Some friends,but nothing material.”

He nuzzled herear and neck. “Good.”

She swalloweddeliberately. “Good?”

“You can makeyour home here more easily. We can replace anything you miss.”

“What did youdo before you were here?”

He smiled.“This and that. I was an idol. I don’t know if you know what thatis.”

She leaned awayfrom his mouth. “You are kid—oh, wow.”

He smiled.“They tried an all-alpha boy band. When we completed puberty, wewere retired.”

She stared athim and blurted, “Dart!”

He grinned.“You recognize me.”

“So, Xo is youractual name?”

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